The new musical comedy “Huzzah!” will take a world-premiere bow at San Diego’s Old Globe. The debut mounting, which is being produced by special arrangement with Tony Award-winning production company No Guarantees Productions, will begin previews on Sept. 13 and open on Sept. 25. The Annie Tippe-directed musical is slated for a limited engagement through Oct. 19.
Featuring a book and score by Tony nominees Nell Benjamin and Laurence O’Keefe, “Huzzah!” follows two sisters who must reconcile their differences to save their father’s Renaissance fair from financial ruin.
The principal company of “Huzzah!” will be comprised of Josh Breckenridge as Inigo Johnson, Anthony Chatmon II as Gareth, Peyton Crim as Wayland Smith, Matt DaSilva as Troubadour Tim, Cailen Fu as Kate Mirandola, Allison Guinn as Lady Eve, Liisi LaFontaine as Gwen Mirandola, Mike Millan as Juan Diego Santiago de Fuensalida, Kevin Pariseau as Sir John Thomas Morningwood, Leo Roberts as Sir Rowland Prowd, Lance Arthur Smith as Johnny Mirandola and former Actors’ Equity Association president Kate Shindle as Anne Bonny the Pirate Queen.
“Huzzah!” ensemblists will include Michael Cusimano, Beth Stafford Laird, Michelle Lauto, Tatiana Lofton and Aaron Michael Ray. Rounding out the cast will be swings Berto Fernández, Max Antonio Gonzalez, Sophia LaRosh and Katheryne Penny. Casting is by Bethany Knox and Jimmy Larkin of the Telsey Office.
“The Globe’s 2025 season reaches its climax with the world premiere of a truly funny, fresh and captivating new musical, ‘Huzzah!’” Old Globe artistic director Barry Edelstein said in a statement. “The brilliant Nell Benjamin returns to the Globe in dazzling style, this time accompanied by her spectacular writing partner, the composer Larry O’Keefe. Along with visionary director Annie Tippe, making her Globe debut, they conjure a world that’s playful and touching, tuneful and bright. ‘Huzzah!’ indeed — this is a wonderful show that I’m thrilled to share with San Diego.”
Benjamin and O’Keefe received a Tony nomination for crafting the score of 2007’s “Legally Blonde.” Benjamin received an additional nod in 2018 for writing the lyrics for “Mean Girls,” and most recently contributed to the book of “Real Women Have Curves.” O’Keefe is also known for penning the music and lyrics to “Bat Boy” and co-writing the book and score (with Kevin Murphy) for “Heathers.”
Tippe received a Drama Desk nomination for helming Off-Broadway’s “Octet.” Tippe’s additional directing credits include “Three Houses” and “Ghost Quartet,” as well as “Life After” in Toronto.
“Huzzah!” will feature choreography by Katie Spelman, orchestrations by Ben Green, music direction by Alejandro Senior and music supervision by Mary-Mitchell Campbell.
The creative team will also include Tony-winning scenic designer Todd Rosenthal, costume designer Haydee Zelideth, Tony-winning lighting designer Jeff Croiter, sound designer Connor Wang and wig designer Earon Chew Nealy. Jacob Grigolia-Rosenbaum will serve as fight director, while Michael Passaro will serve as production stage manager. Emmelyn Thayer will guide voice and dialect, Hayley Goldenberg will provide associate direction, Kelsey Burns will provide associate choreography and Elizabeth Doran will provide associate music supervision.
No Guarantees was recognized in all four best show categories at the 2025 Tony Awards, for serving as a producer of “The Hills of California” and co-producer of “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Romeo + Juliet” and “Sunset Boulevard.” The production company won a Best Revival of a Musical Tony for the latter.
